Passive House Information
What Is Passive House?
Passive house (PH) is a building standard started from Europe, which looks at energy efficiency, insulation, air tightness and mechanical ventilation. These are the fundamental foundations of a passive house build.
With energy efficiency through air tightness and ventilation, you can maintain a consistent temperature and humidity indoors all year round. This saves your $$$ in heating and cooling.
Balanced Building Biology is NOT certified in Passive House Design or Building. What we do have, is the experience in building materials and issues with buildings based on all the assessments conducted.
For example:
- bathroom waterproofing failures, causing leaks and mould and moisture issues due to wrong waterproofing membrane selection.
- whole house & subfloor ventilation solutions provided by professionals to provide better indoor air quality
- Roof and drainage issues resulting in water leaks or floods.
- EMF issues related to Solar Panel / Photovoltaic Systems.
- Selection of appropriate paints that don’t off-gas VOC
- Shielding for EMF during a build
- Assessing a property/land for geopathic stresses.
We can provide valuable consultation input to your new build or renovation.
Healthy Home
Healthy Occupants
Healthy Interior Finishes
Selection of “safer” products
Solar
Orientation
Thermal Insulation
By the right selection of building materials and building design, the frames, walls and floors are insulated with the right insulating materials.
Air Tightness
Older homes are leaky and have air draughts.
By building and sealing with a breathable membrane, you can control the internal environment.
The outer walls are allowed to breathe and moisture to move through the building materials (ie. insulation).
No Thermal Bridges
Steel frames are avoided as their conductivity of heat and ability to cause condensation will introduce problems such as transfer or loss of heat and potential mould growth.
Energy Efficient Windows/Doors
Double or triple glazed windows are a must. Air tight doors and windows to avoid thermal leakiness.
Mechanical Ventilation
When you seal the home and make it air tight, you need mechanical ventilation to recover heat, introduce outdoor fresh air that is filtered. Maintain temperature and humidity consistently in the home.
Videos Introducing Passive House
Start with the 90 second video, and then move to the 2nd one. .
Example Passive Homes
Some interesting videos on homes built around Australia.
For another example, visit
Passive House in Australia
Great introductory information along with case studies.
The case studies list Architects and Designers, Builders and PassiveHaus certifiers, so it becomes a great source for you to reach out to the relevant professionals to start your journey.
Passive Home with SIP (XPS Foam)
What is SIP? It’s structurally insulated panels. In this PDF, they use SIP , which is 2 metal sheets sandwiching EPS foam.
The EPS Foam by XFlam is supposed to be low toxicity and not as flammable so theoretically “OK” but from a building biology perspective, more natural products with breathability is preferred.
Cutting the SIP to prevent thermal bridging is appropriate, but why not use materials that don’t cause thermal bridging?
Passive House for Australian Climates
Abstract:”Passivhaus (also known as Passive House) is a low-energy and high-thermal-comfort design, construction, and operational
methodology for buildings, developed by the Passivhaus Institute in Germany. Although initially developed for a Central
European climate, the Passivhaus concept is touted as being applicable to any climate. Passivhaus is beginning to make headway in the Australian building industry, with several projects recently completed and many more in the design or construction phase.”
Passive Design via Solar Orientation
Learn more about solar orientation of the building.
Maximise your solar heating and light.
Feature Product
LifePanels.com
Life Panels brings you premium quality eco products for walls, roofs and floors manufactured from responsibly sourced wood fibre to meet Australia’s rapidly growing demand for healthier buildings.
Why Wood Fibre?
- High density
- Low Thermal Conductivity
- High Heat Storage
- High Vapour Diffusion
Can it work for Passive House or for a normal build? – YES
- Wood Fibre is like a blanket for your walls and roof. It prevents thermal bridging.
- Wood fibre manages moisture and with a vapour permeable membrane, protects the building
- Wood fibre controls relative humidity and can control bacteria, mould and dust mites
- Wood fibre has a higher thermal mass than concrete
- Wood fibre has low thermal conductivity
- Wood fibre controls overheating
“Wood Fibre Insulation Boards for better & healthier buildings.”
You don’t have to build Passive House. We want you to avoid the common mistakes that happen in new builds and renovations. We can also suggest small suggestions into the builds to help protect you from EMFs and other environmental hazards.
“Do you want a bathroom that lasts for 25 years rather than 7 years?”
Consultation fees apply.
Have a quick discussion with us and find out more.